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If you want a car 2012 is a good time to buy 'as new'

Glass's Guide also say that 2012 as a whole is set to be a great year for motorists to bag a good deal on cars.

With retail demand for new cars not expected to see any recovery this year, it is likely that pre-registration activity will continue to be an enduring feature of the market.

Many motors are pre-registered by dealers to boost overall sales figures meaning there could be some fantastic deals on ‘as-new’ cars which will technically be second hand, but are likely to have only a few hundred miles on the clock and no previous owners.

Glass's Guide recommend considering purchasing a pre-registered model, as you can save thousands on an ‘as new’ car.

Used car prices kept high, because we can't afford new

Data shows that in the last two years,
many Britons have been forced to downgrade to cheaper vehicles,
gravitating to buying cars of three or more years old.

High
demand in this sector means that prices are set to remain fairly
stable, and ‘run-arounds’ of five or six years or older and priced under
£5,000 are likely to fare even better.

Overall the number of used car sales is predicted to be in line with last year, which will be around 6.6 – 6.8million.

Glass’s also highlights that used car purchases are not just about the headline price, with buyers increasingly interested in fuel efficiency and running costs due to the economic climate.

This will hold true for a wide range of budgets, be it £5,000 or £25,000. So fuel efficient models are expected to become more popular in 2012.

Those considering buying a new car should look for vehicles with low running costs – they will be worth more than powerful, gas-guzzling models after a year or two.

Ron Rodney, co-founder of CarBidOff, says: 'Go to a showroom on a weekday and the salesperson is more likely to give you a better deal because there are fewer customers about.

'Most buyers don’t realise what a good position they’re in. Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the body that represents the motor industry, show that new car registrations to private sellers was down 15 per cent in November.

'Car dealers don’t like having cars sitting there on the forecourt as it’s costing them money. They like to turn around their stock within 90 days of getting it so with cars not selling in the current climate they’ll offer you a good deal to buy the car.

'Car dealers are under more pressure than they have been for a long time and right now buyers are in the best position to get a cracking deal on a car.'

Tips to walk away with a car bargain in January

Always offer around 10 per cent, or £1,000, less than the car is valued at. For example, if a car was up for sale at £6,000, offer £5,000, especially at this time of year. It gives room for negotiating manoeuvre. It can be daunting offering a lower price for a car, but don’t be ashamed or embarrassed – car dealers will be used to negotiating and you are only looking to get the best deal.

Remember, the person selling you the car is a salesman. They should be selling the car to you, so don’t act too interested from the offset.This way, the salesman will feel more inclined to offer you a discount to get you/keep you interested.

Do your research. Look at a reputable car valuation service, like Glass’s Guide, to see how much the car should be valued at and for a full-run down on the car’s rating and performance. You don't want to end up with an overpriced dud.

Ask for added extras. There's no harm in asking for additional items, such as a stereo upgrade, a warranty, an MOT or whatever else you can get thrown into the bargain

Make sure you’re fully decided on the car you want, and on your budget. Don’t be persuaded into spending more than you can afford – and if you don’t like the deal, walk away. Also, don't forget to budget in other outgoings such as what your car insurance is likely to be, as this will also impact how much you can afford to spend.